Sayre Rock Island Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sayre
|
|
|---|---|
| Former Rock Island Line passenger rail station | |
Former Rock Island Depot, now Shortgrass Museum, August 29, 2015
|
|
| Location | 106 East Poplar Avenue, Sayre, Oklahoma 73662 |
|
Sayre Rock Island Depot
|
|
 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 106 E. Poplar, Sayre, Oklahoma |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1927 |
| Built by | Leake Construction Company |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000654 |
| Added to NRHP | June 9, 2000 |
The Sayre Rock Island Depot is a historic train station in Sayre, Oklahoma. It was built in 1927 for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, also known as the Rock Island Line. This new station replaced an older one from 1901. It was built closer to downtown Sayre to handle more train traffic. It also helped the railroad compete with the new U.S. Route 66, a major highway.
The station was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival architecture style. This means it looks like buildings from the Italian Renaissance period. You can see similar designs in other old Rock Island stations, like the Hobart Depot and the Walters Depot in Oklahoma.
Over time, fewer people traveled by train. More people started using cars and trucks on highways. Because of this, the Rock Island Railroad stopped its passenger service in Sayre. In 1972, the railroad gave the station building to the City of Sayre. Later, in the late 1980s, the Shortgrass Country Museum moved into the building. The Sayre Rock Island Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 2000. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
What Does the Sayre Depot Look Like?
The Sayre Rock Island Depot is a one-story building. It is made of brick and stucco, which is a type of plaster. The lower part of the walls is red brick, and the upper part is stucco. The roof is made of red ceramic tiles and has a sloped, pointed shape. The building sits on a strong concrete foundation.
A stone band, called a stringcourse, separates the brick from the stucco on the walls. Most windows have six small panes over one large pane. Some windows have four small panes over one large pane. All windows have flat tops and stone sills. The main doors are made of glass and wood. They have three small windows above them.
There are also two large doors for freight (goods being shipped). These are on the west side of the station. One freight door on the north side is shorter. This was to allow for a raised loading dock. The building also has wide, open eaves (the parts of the roof that hang over the walls). It has large decorative brackets and a red brick chimney with a stone top.
Changes to the Building Over Time
The outside of the Sayre Rock Island Depot still looks much like it did when it was built. Some small changes have been made since the Shortgrass Museum moved in. These changes do not affect the building's original look.
- Two cooling units were placed next to the loading dock on the south side.
- A metal panel now covers a hole where an old air conditioning unit used to be.
- New brick walkways were built around the east, north, and west sides of the building.
- A new concrete sidewalk was added on the south side.
- The driveways and parking lot around the building were paved.
All these outdoor improvements were finished in 1999.
The inside of the building has changed more. While the rooms are still in their original places, many old features are gone.
- The trim and floors inside have been painted grey.
- The ticket window between the former waiting room and ticket office has been closed off.
- The former restrooms have been combined to create a small kitchen area.
- A new door was added between the ticket office and another waiting room.
- Another doorway was opened between the ticket office and a different waiting room.
- A part of the Ladies Rest Room has been blocked off.
Even with these changes, the building still feels very much like the historic train station it once was. It keeps its original location, design, and materials.
Why the Depot is a Historic Place
The Sayre Rock Island Depot was chosen to be on the National Register of Historic Places. It was recognized for its importance from 1927 to 1950. This period was when the station played a key role in the area's transportation and development. It also shows a good example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture.
